603-924-9867This evening, part of the CharlesWorks team – Susan and I – headed out to do some comet watching. We had read that the best time to spot the comet, officially named Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), would be within about 45 minutes after sunset. In New Hampshire, sunset tonight was around 6:00 PM, so we planned our outing to catch the best view.
Preparing to Spot the Comet
Something we had seen on TV or read earlier suggested that binoculars are helpful for spotting comets at first. The idea is that once you find it with binoculars, it’s easier to lock onto it with the naked eye. We knew we’d need to wait for the sky to darken just enough to see the comet against the evening sky, so we were excited to head out on time.
Comet watching at Coll’s Farm Stand
Our destination? Coll’s Farm Stand in Jaffrey, NH. It’s a beautiful place with an eight-sided open building (a perfect viewing spot), offering a panoramic view toward the western horizon where the sunset would soon fade.
Venus was the first to make an appearance in the twilight sky, as it always shines the brightest after sunset. Using binoculars, Susan began scanning just off to the right of Venus—around the 1:30 to 2:00 direction—and we both held our breath. A few clouds rolled in at first, but they didn’t stick around for long.
After the clouds cleared, I started snapping photos with my Samsung S24 Ultra (SM-S928U). It’s fantastic for night shots, especially when capturing stars and celestial events. Among the many photos I took, we found one with a great 3x zoomed view of the comet!
At CharlesWorks, we’re always out and about, looking for great shots that could be useful for websites and articles. This experience felt perfect for sharing!
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
Comet C/2023 A3, also known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, has been a fascinating subject for astronomers. It was discovered earlier this year and has been making its way closer to the inner solar system, providing us a rare opportunity to see it with the naked eye. Comets are made up of dust, ice, and rock, and as they approach the Sun, the heat causes them to release gas and dust, forming the glowing coma and long tail we recognize.
The best time to see this comet is after sunset, just as the sky starts to darken. Luckily, weather conditions were on our side this evening.
Where You Can See the Comet
We were fortunate to see the comet here in New Hampshire, but others across the world have a chance to catch a glimpse too. Observers in the northern hemisphere, including in New Hampshire and areas like St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, should have good visibility if the sky is clear. In fact, the view could even be better from lower latitudes since they often have clearer skies.
More to Look Forward to
For those also interested in comet watching, there’s another potential celestial treat coming later this month. In late October 2024, another comet may be visible, so keep an eye out for more information.
For those interested in learning more about Comet C/2023 A3, including additional viewing tips and its journey through the solar system, detailed information can be found at:
https://earthsky.org/space/comet-c-2023-a3-sep-oct-2024-tsuchinshan-atlas/
And to check out our solar eclipse adventure right in the CharlesWorks parking lot, check out this:
https://charlesworks.com/charlesworks-watching-the-solar-eclipse-here-in-peterborough-nh/
It was a fantastic evening under the stars, and we’re excited to share these moments. Whether you’re comet-watching yourself or just enjoying celestial events from afar, nights like these remind us why we love capturing and sharing the beauty of the skies. Stay tuned for more adventures and, of course, great photos!
